Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

Day 157 – December 26, 2011

With all due respect to Kermit the Frog, it definitely was easy being green, which is the theme from WordPress for their Weekly Photo Challenge.

While I have posted photos before about our December 2011 trip to the Incans ruins of Machu Picchu, these are all new snaps that show off the green of the area.

We start off with another look at the Christmas tree / Nativity scene displayed in the main square of Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the mountain where Machu Picchu resides. This tree is composed of empty soda bottles.

Reduce, reuse, re-celebrate

Below is a photo I took on the bus ride up to the ruins. The small ribbon of brown in the center of the picture is the Urubamba River. I wanted to use my camera to take my mind off the relatively scary ride skyward. The road from Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu looks barely wide enough for a pickup truck, but large buses scale this road going both directions at the same time. When two coaches meet, one vehicle has to move towards the edge. I don’t want to say that as your bus moves closer to the abyss that you can see all the way down, but you can see all the way down.

Green scenery, white knuckles

In addition to breath-taking and awe-inspiring views of mountains and architecture, the area of Machu Picchu also harbors some interesting wildlife. Below, find the caterpillar.

Green is always a favorite camo color.

People walk all around the ruins and sometimes they simply need to stop and rest.

Resting and enjoying the view

The woman below is standing in the entrance to Machu Picchu. It is called Intipuncu, or the Gate of the Sun.

The door is always open

Since this is a blog about Peru, here is the mandatory shot of a llama…

Cuidado! Llamas!

…and the obligatory shot of a tourist wearing a chullo.

Cuidado! The first step is a doozy!

Not everyone who is at Machu Picchu is a tourist.

These helpful signs don’t paint themselves

And finally, a parting shot of Machu Picchu.

Slopes of green

Come on back now, y’hear!